St George Illawarra has granted utility player Michael Ennis a release and told experienced NRL duo Lance Thompson and Shaun Timmins their contracts are up for review.

Thompson, 27, reportedly left the Dragons end-of-year awards function at Sydney Town Hall on Friday after being told the news.

The City Origin representative previously accepted a pay cut to stay with the Dragons a few years ago.

Dragons chief executive Peter Doust hosed down talk the club was looking to axe both Thompson and Timmins.

"It doesn't always come down to releasing players," Doust told reporters.

"You need to know what players are thinking going forward. One person has taken it objectively and somewhat rationally, and the other has taking it quite emotionally."

The club is hopeful of reaching a resolution with both Timmins and Thompson by Monday.

Thompson has played all of his career with the Dragons, starting with St George in 1995 and continuing with St George Illawarra in the joint venture's first season in 1999.

The back rower played all 26 games this season, including last month's preliminary final loss to eventual premiers Wests Tigers, and has made 201 career NRL and ARL appearances.

Dragons coaching consultant Laurie Daley told Network Ten: "Nathan's got to make some tough decisions and hopefully in the next couple of days they'll either work something out or both parties will move forward.

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